| Author | Message | ||
     Buellmeister57 |
"The Death of Buell" An outstanding article that everyone should read. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Welcome to last week  http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/549159.html?1269381068 | ||
| Nevrenuf |
just got my motorcyclist mag and they got an article in that also. even mentioned 2-1-11. | ||
| Buellmeister57 |
Guess that's what I get for working 12-14 hour shifts. About a week behind on my news. Still thought it was a great read. | ||
| Joshinga |
I cant wait to see the letters in the june issue. I wonder what all the haters will be saying no that the cat is out of the bag as far as who is responsible for the issues everyone had with Buell. | ||
| Tom_b |
I just received a copy of the cycle world with the article and pics in it. VERY good read. I have to hand it to Steve Anderson, well written with a good bit of history | ||
| B00stzx3 |
@joshinga...suprisingly it wasn't only Buell fans that were ticked off. A lotta people on my local sportbike site were mad...mostly at Harley cuz they hate HD anyways but because they had a lot of respect for Erik and all his accomplishments. Plus they really hate HD  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Steve used to post on here occasionally. We owe him a big debt for writing that. | ||
| Swamp2 |
That really is an excellent article. Steve doesn't cop any real attitude - just lays (what appears) to be the facts out there. Props also to CW for publishing such a lengthy piece. | ||
| Dynasport |
I'm going to go buy that magazine this evening after work. I can't wait to read it. | ||
| Macbuell |
As if I could have been any more upset at HD prior to reading that article. It's amazing how well Buell did with HD screwing them at every turn. | ||
| Swamp2 |
Yeah, it's kind of a weird thing, I'm certainly hatin' on HD now, but without their earlier involvement, it's unlikely Erik and Buell would have had the accomplishments they did manage to achieve and we all wouldn't have the wonderful bikes that we enjoy today. We all long for what might have been, but the stuff that did come out is still pretty phenomenal. With that said, they are obviously now managed and controlled by the biggest bunch of short-sighted, uncreative morons ever to occupy a board room... | ||
| Joshinga |
B00stzx3..... What I meant was directed toward the die hard anti buell guys that picked apart everything that ever went wrong with the bike or thing they couldn't directly compare to a jap bike. IE: ZTL brakes. Now with the article out it shows just how handicapped that Buell was by the MOCO. I just wanted to see how they were gonna react change sides or try to go down swinging. | ||
| Metra6924 |
After reading that article and considering the big picture, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the minor issues with the Buell motorcycles were driven by HD (spit!). For example, the muffler rust problem. Many HD (spit!) buyers are quick to change to a dB enhancing exhaust system. Perhaps that was HD's (spit!) intent with Buell, but they never could develop a system that Buell owners would buy. The same goes for items like mirrors, grips, seats - you get the idea. Perhaps Buells were (are?) just too well engineered for the HD (spit!) corporate model. The bikes are just too good and too well equipped right off the floor. There's no demand for fancy accessories, the typical Buell owner rides the motorcycle for the pure joy of riding, not as an excuse to visit the dealer for more sparkles. Stay true to your principles Erik, we all appreciate what you have done. And Happy Birthday! | ||
| Froggy |
If Erik didn't turn to Harley, he would of figured something else out. It is possible some other investor stepped up and helped out, and let Erik do his own thing instead of holding him back. But it doesn't matter, whats done is done. | ||
| Swamp2 |
Froggy, I suppose it's possible. But looking back over the last 25 years - how many little guys have had some solid ideas and interesting bikes but have come and gone with no significant lasting impact on the sport and industry. It ain't a cheap game to play... Not trying to defend HD in any way, mind you - but at least Buell got the chance to become relevant. When I read Court's/Dave's book, it sure sounded like Buell was on the brink of not making it. | ||
| Tom_b |
I love the lawyers warning about "indentured servitude" ..Sounds like that is about how it worked out. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Just read the article... HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! HD sucks!!! Yeah, that pretty much sums up my thoughts... | ||
| Cityxslicker |
you could spend the money on the bike if you looked. You just didnt add chrome in the normal HD customizing fashion. I did the exhaust Updated shock Uly fender set bags lights seat rack bars color change and when it was done... it still looked mostly stock, that just has to pizz off the add a chrome crew. I mean hell, if you were to tell someone my bike started as a hero blue CityX I dont think they would have predicted that from the end result. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My understanding is that HD was one of several potential angel funders of Buell. We'll see sooner rather than later whether the choice to go with HD was a good one. To me, the relationship was one of a mother giving birth to a child and then spending the next 26 years trying to abort it. My hope is that the 26 year old, having moved out of the house, will grow up into a right proper adult. | ||
| Rex |
the comments the new CEO made is not good business. About the operations, the sportbikes, the Buell company, Racing, etc. not impressed with comments like that. triples would have been cool. turbo charged bikes would have been cool. More blast models would have been good. Too bad they didn't want a full fairing on the bike, not wanting to compete directly against the japanese and other sportbikes. too bad the price points of bikes didn't make it. REX | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I have said it before and I will say it again. If i ever see Mr. Wendall I will most likely go to jail for assault with a motor vehicle because i would want to shove one of those new ugly sportsters up his A**. | ||
| Fuzzz |
Finally got my copy in the mail, and it is indeed a sad story. For years I've said privately the best thing for Erik would be to sever ties with HD(spit), because I always thought they were holding him back, but at least now he can build the kind of bikes he's always wanted to. I am very happy with the Buell's I own, and even more so now, knowing what Erik must have gone through to get them produced in the first place. In a funny way, I feel sorry for HD(spit) because they have lost the qualities that used to attract me to them. I have always owned and ridden HD's(spit) and I will keep the bikes I have, but I doubt I'll ever own another new one. 2-2000 Buell M2 Cyclones 67 Electra Glide 65 H-250 Sprint 2-74 SX 175's 2-78 MX 250's 73 Shortster 47 Hummer (Message edited by fuzzz on April 04, 2010) | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
will my issue never arrive?! dang it. | ||
| Jaimec |
Still waiting for mine too... | ||
| Court |
Happy Easter | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
My only wish is that Erik hooks up with Bombadier, and makes all the bikes we were getting, just powered by the Rotax. Heck, I don't even need the hundred horses I have now, but a watercooled, 6 gallon underseat tanked, less than 1 litre rotax powered XT that could get 50mpg or more, would be my next bike of choice. Use his skills to make it aero efficient, perimiter framed, handle, brake and ride even better; let Bombadier make all the bits in snow mobile or can-am factories; then assemble here with the former team. So many parts were off the shelf outsourced bits (suspension, controls, etc) it could return to production quickly. Can Am by Buell? Buell with Can Am beneath it? Can-Am's Pegasus line? Sounds OK to me. | ||
| Spank |
I have yet to understand why CW shows up at my local Walmart first and not my mailbox! ...bought it at the store, couldn't wait! | ||
| Crusty |
I have subscription, but I bought four copies at the supermarket to give to friends. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I have subscription, but I bought four copies at the supermarket to pass out out my local H-D dealer.... LOL, that would be fun.... and I would buy a bunch more copies. |
